Special Operations
Policy text
Source details
Source file: 7.01 Special Operations.pdf. Policy dates appear on the original cover. Page links use the PDF's page order.
M.G.L. links open the Massachusetts Legislature’s website. Citations with no matching section open the cited chapter directory.
01PDF page 1Read textHide text
Policy & Procedures No. 7.01
Subject:
Special Operations
Issuing Authority: Effective Date: Review Date:
Chief of Police 10/28/2013 09/10/23
Review Date:
Review
Revision 02/10/15
Reissued 02/12/17
Dates: 02/19/18
08/01/22
CALEA STANDARDS
2.1.3 2.1.4 11.4.4 22.3.1 33.6.2 41.2.4 41.2.5 46.1.2 46.2.1 46.2.2 46.2.3 46.2.5 46.2.6
46.2.7
POST STANDARDS: UOF-08
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES
The Canton Police Department has developed an All Hazards Plan for guidance in responding to
general emergencies and disasters. The purpose of this policy is to provide some level of
guidance in preparing and responding to emergencies and disasters. For more detail, all
employees are encouraged to read and become familiar with the All Hazards Plan.
I. POLICY
It is the policy of the Canton Police Department to respond to emergencies and disasters, obtain
appropriate resources, and address the emergency at hand to preserve life, peace and property.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Breach of the Peace:
A violation of public order or decorum which disturbs the public peace and tranquility, or an act
of disorderly conduct which disrupts the public peace.
B. Civil Disturbances: 46.1.2 (2D)
A social activity which is dangerous or hurtful to the public peace, decorum, sense of morality or
welfare due to misconduct or vicious actions. This may include riots, disorders, and violence
arising from dissident gatherings and marches, concerts political conventions and labor disputes.
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 102PDF page 2Read textHide text
C. Disasters: 46.1.2 (2A)
Floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, explosions, and tornadoes.
D. Unusual Occurrences: 46.1.2 (2F)
Extraordinary emergency situations which generally result from natural and/or man-made
disasters or civil disturbances.
III. PROCEDURES
A. ALL HAZARDS PLAN
1. The Canton Police Department has developed an All Hazards Plan for guidance in
responding to general emergencies and disasters. For more detail, all employees are encouraged
to read and become familiar with Department Policy: All Hazards Plan and the Department CEM
Plan.
2. Both the All Hazards Plan and this policy follow standard Incident Command System
(I.C.S.) protocols which provide interoperability with other public safety and government entities
which may also respond to the incident.
3. Some fundamental functions of the I.C.S. system are addressed in this policy.
B. EMERGENCIES, GENERAL
1. General Considerations:
Unusual occurrences may arise which may tax police resources and methods for dealing with
them, such as suicidal persons, barricaded suspects and searches for dangerous suspects. Police
must act swiftly to isolate the incident area to prevent the suspect’s escape, protect the public,
and ensure the safety of responding public safety officials. 46.1.2 (2F)
2. Initial Police Response 46.2.1 (2); 41.2.4
a. The assessment of the first officer on the scene may play a great role in the overall
success of the police response. Initial police responders shall:
- Quickly assess the situation;
- Report the assessment to the Shift Commander; and
- Begin directing arriving units until a supervisor arrives and takes command, keeping in
mind:
1) A safe approach for responders
2) Isolation of the scene; and,
3) The safety of innocents.
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 203PDF page 3Read textHide text
46.2.1 (2) cont.
b. The initial supervisor shall function as the Operations Section Chief until relieved, and
must assess the situation, considering the threat and scope of the incident.
c. If the situation cannot be resolved with the existing resources, the supervisor should
request additional help through mutual aid, a call out of additional off duty personnel, and
other municipal, non-public safety staff. 2.1.3; 41.2.4
d. If appropriate contact the Chief of Police to initiate the department’s All Hazard Plan.
11.4.4
e. Set up an inner perimeter to keep the suspect or location under observation and avoid
moving or enlarging the scope of the incident.
f. An outer perimeter should be established to keep uninvolved personnel and spectators
from entering the affected area.
g. Consider an evacuation.
3. Calling Additional Resources Mutual Aid 2.1.3 (3 A-D) – Refer to MOU on file
a. During an incident or in an emergency, the Shift Supervisor shall initiate mutual aid by
notifying the shift supervisor of a neighboring agency.
b. Responding units will be advised to report to the Incident Commander – in some cases,
that may be the Shift Supervisor.
c. To allow for continuous radio communication, all units will be on the Canton Channel.
d. Per MGL. Chapter 41, Sec. 99, the officers activated under the signed Mutual Aid
Agreement shall have the same immunities and privileges as when acting within their
respective cities and towns. The MOU signed between our agency with other municipal
communities will be reviewed by the Chief or his/her designee to ensure
e. On scene personnel should be deployed as determined by the Operations Section Chief.
b. Non-police resources:
The need for other resources, such as fire, medical, public health and public works
assistance, should be assessed and requested as needed, deployed as directed by the
Operations Section Chief or staged by the Logistics Section Chief. 41.2.4
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 304PDF page 4Read textHide text
d. National Guard 2.1.4
- Authorization to request assistance from the National Guard must be obtained from the
Chief of Police, or the officer in charge of the department, in the absence of the Chief.
11.4.4
-If the usual police provisions are inadequate to preserve order and afford protection in the
event or threat of a riot or mob, a public catastrophe, or natural disaster, local officials
may request the National Guard to aid the civil authority in suppressing such violations,
preserving order, affording such protection and supporting the laws. 46.1.2 (2A,C,D)
- Should a declared state of emergency exist or be requested, the officer in charge shall
assign a liaison to the Officer of the Adjutant General for the purpose of directing,
coordinating, and controlling the operation.
4. Tactical Teams 46.2.1
a. Tactical Teams may be deployed to supplement other operational components. The
initial supervisor or Incident Commander shall be responsible for making the call for a
tactical team. Our agency uses outside Tactical Teams such as METRO-LEC. 46.2.1
(3,4,5)
b. It takes time for a tactical team to respond with equipment, assess the situation,
develop and execute a plan.
c. Patrol forces must maintain a secure incident area until such time as they are
relieved.
d. Officers should gather as much intelligence information as possible for the responding
team, and be prepared to brief them when they arrive. 46.2.1 (6) This should include:
i. Names, histories and mental status of suspect(s);
ii. If and how they may be armed;
iii. Details of the incident, what happened and how it occurred;
iv. Maps and diagrams of the immediate location of the suspect(s) and the
surrounding area;
v. Peculiarities and concerns caused by buildings, terrain, etc.; and
vi. If contact has been made with the suspect(s), what transpired, or if
communication is available.
5. Deploying a team
a. The tactical team shall be properly equipped to carry out its mission.46.2.1 46.2.3
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 405PDF page 5Read textHide text
b. The decision to deploy a tactical team is the decision of the Incident Commander.
c. The decision of how to deploy a tactical team is a decision of that tactical team’s
commander. Participating in a tactical team is a very high-risk activity. The
responsibility for the evaluation of risk and safety of the team lies with the team
commander. 46.2.1 (7,8)
6. Coordination of team with others:
Coordination and cooperation between multiple tactical teams and other operation
components are crucial for safety and operation success. Sharing of information is
critical. The Tactical Team Commander is responsible for the tactical team’s response,
but must stay in constant contact with the scene Incident Commander who relays info to
other officers. 46.2.1 (6)
7. Participating with the METRO-LEC special response team. 46.2.2
a. Agency personnel may be assigned to the METRO-LEC special response team with
the approval of the Chief of Police. Any employee who is assigned must pass all
applicable criteria for acceptance to the team. 33.6.2
b. Physical Fitness and Agility: 22.3.1, 33.6.2
All employees must be in top physical condition and must pass and agility test
designed to measure their ability to perform the types of tasks they may be called
upon to do during an operational activity. Physical and agility tests should be
administered annually for all special response team members. 33.6.2
c. Education and Experience:
Consideration for an employee’s education, training, and law enforcement experience
shall be given in the selection process for special response team members.
d. Employees assigned to the METRO-LEC special response team shall be provided
with the following specialized equipment: 46.2.3 (4,5)
i. Long gun, see Department Policy on Authorized weapons;
ii. Ballistic vest;
iii. Ballistic helmet;
iv. Applicable uniforms (camouflage, subdued, etc.);
v. Thigh holster; and,
vi. Load bearing equipment as determined by METRO-LEC standards
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 506PDF page 6Read textHide text
8. Crowds and Demonstrations:
a. The right of lawful assembly and freedom of speech are fundamental rights
guaranteed under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
b. There are, however, limitations on the exercise of these rights, and the police must
enforce these limitations firmly, fairly and impartially.
c. The police have the responsibility to protect the rights of all persons to assemble
peacefully and, at the same time, to preserve the basic peace of the entire community.
When the Canton Police Department has advance knowledge of a planned mass
demonstration, it shall attempt in good faith to communicate with organizers of the event
to discuss logistical plans, strategies to avoid conflict, and potential communication needs
between police and event participants. The department shall make plans to avoid and de-
escalate potential conflicts and designate an officer in charge of de-escalation planning
and communication about the plans within the department. UOF-08
9. Unlawful Assembly:
The elements of an unlawful assembly are:
a. Five or more persons, being armed with clubs or other dangerous weapons; or
b. Ten or more persons, whether armed or not;
c. Unlawfully, riotously or tumultuously assembled;
d. Having been command by police or others to disperse immediately and peaceably;
and,
10. Failure to so disperse.
Response considerations
a. In responding to any disturbance, the restoration or peace should be accomplished by
persuasion whenever possible, and by force only when necessary.
b. In carrying out crowd control measures, the objectives of the police are:
i. To contain the disturbance;
ii. To disperse the crowd as expeditiously as possible;
iii. To prevent the regrouping or reentry to the scene; and,
iv. To take action against the perpetrators of serious offenses and remove
them immediately from the scene.
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 607PDF page 7Read textHide text
c. M.G.L. c41 s98 gives police officers the authority to suppress and prevent disturbances and disorder, disperse any assembly of three or more persons and to enter any building to suppress a riot or breach of the peace therein. 46.1.2 (2D) 11. Initial police response a. The assessment of the first officer on the scene may play a great role in the overall success of the police response. Initial police responders shall quickly assess the situation and immediately inform the Shift Commander of the following: i. The location and approximate size of the crowd; ii. The type and makeup of the crowd; iii. Its direction of movement, if any; iv. The apparent intent of the crowd; v. Whether the crowd is armed with any kind of actual or potential weapons; vi. The best direction of approach to the crowd; and, vii. If any leaders of the crowd have been identified and what is known about them. b. Begin directing arriving units until a supervisor arrives and takes command, keeping in mind: i. Safe approach for responders; ii. Isolation of the scene; and, iii. The safety of innocents. c. No employee shall attempt to take direct police action against an aggressor or militant crowd until sufficient police are present for effective control. d. Sufficient assistance shall be dispatched as quickly as possible to take decisive action and to neutralize the possibility of widespread disorder. 12. Isolate the incident scene: a. Establish an outer perimeter if sufficient personnel are available. Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 7
08PDF page 8Read textHide text
b. Prevent vehicular and pedestrian traffic from entering the immediate area to avoid the
gathering of curious spectators.
c. Evacuate bystanders and occupants of residences and businesses from an area
threatened by a volatile mob before the mob reaches the area, where appropriate.
d. Whenever homes and businesses are abandoned, and it is safe to do so, sufficient police
should be stationed in the area to prevent vandalism and looting.
13. Crowd control procedures
a. All officers assigned to crowd control shall:
i. Use only the amount of force necessary to obtain control, to protect
themselves, other officers, or bystanders from physical injury or to make
arrests;
ii. Maintain strict impartiality;
iii. Be courteous but firm;
iv. Not use insulting language;
v. Not respond to verbal abuse;
vi. Not debate the issue with the crowd;
vii. Maintain a calm but determined attitude;
viii. Be vigorous and decisive when action is required;
ix. Act together as a coordinated unit;
x. Keep emotional and agitated persons in the crowd separated;
xi. Keep counter-demonstrators from forming;
xii. Avoid individual combat as far as possible;
xiii. Not make any indiscriminate or unnecessary arrests;
xiv. Remove any arrested persons immediately from the scene of the
disturbance; and,
xv. Carefully note the specific offense committed by any person arrested for
prosecution for that offense.
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 809PDF page 9Read textHide text
b. The crowd shall be broken up from its outer edges and permitted to disperse as
individuals or small groups. A sufficient number of avenues of dispersal shall be
provided.
c. No attempt shall be made to bluff an unruly crowd or to accomplish a police objective
without sufficient forces.
d. Violence or the threat of imminent violence or a violation of any criminal law on the
part of individuals in an unruly or volatile crowd may require police response,
including arrest. Officers should keep in mind that they possess a common law
authority to make a warrantless arrest of any person as follows:
i. If any felony has been committed or the officer has probable cause to
believe a felony has been, is being or will be committed; or
For a misdemeanor:
ii. Committed in the officer’s presence and causing or threatening to cause a
breach of the peace which is continuing or only briefly interrupted; or
iii. Not amounting to a breach of the peace committed in the officer’s
presence when such arrest is authorized by statue; or
iv. For which arrest is allowed even though such misdemeanors were not
committed in the officer’s presence.
e. Arrests of violent or unruly individuals in crowds or demonstrations are most
commonly based on violations of such criminal statutes as disturbing the peace,
disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, and malicious damage to property, assault
and battery, larceny, threatening and similar offenses.
f. A law enforcement officer shall not discharge or order the discharge of tear gas or any
other chemical weapon, discharge or order the discharge of rubber pellets from a
propulsion device, or release or order the release of a dog to control or influence a
person's behavior unless:
(i) de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are not feasible based
on the totality of the circumstances; and
(ii) the measures used are necessary to prevent imminent harm and the
foreseeable harm inflicted by the tear gas or other chemical weapon, rubber
pellets or dog is proportionate to the threat of imminent harm.
If a law enforcement officer utilizes or orders the use of tear gas or any other chemical
weapon, rubber pellets, or a dog against a crowd, the law enforcement officer's
appointing agency shall file a report with the commission detailing all measures that were
taken in advance of the event to reduce the probability of disorder and all de-escalation
tactics and other measures that were taken at the time of the event to de-escalate tensions
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 910PDF page 10Read textHide text
and avoid the necessity of using the tear gas or other chemical weapon, rubber pellets or
dog." UOF-08
14. V.I.P. Protection and Security 46.2.6; 2.1.4
a. Occasionally there are certain dignitaries who will make short term visits within the
community. These individuals are generally referred to as V.I.P.’s (very important
persons). Many of the V.I.P.’s are political in character and are under the overall
protection of the U.S. Secret Service. Since this agency is highly trained in methods
of personal protection, and by law has jurisdiction, the department always defers to
their procedures and serves as support.
b. Upon notification by the Secret Service that a V.I.P. will be visiting the community,
the Chief of Police will be responsible for establishing liaison and formulating all
department plans according to their request. The Deputy Chief, or his/her designee,
will serve as the Officer in Charge of any Canton Officer(s) assigned to a detail.
c. In addition to political V.I.P.’s, other dignitaries such as famous personalities,
notorious persons, or other persons in need of special security may visit, or be in, the
community for a short period of time. Some of these situations may require that the
department formulate its own plan of protection and security for the individual(s).
Under these circumstances it will be the responsibility of the Deputy Chief, or his/her
designee, to prepare a written plan that will include provisions for the following:
i. The number of officer(s) required for any special detail and the estimated
duty requirements for each;
ii. Equipment requirements to include consideration of vehicles, body armor,
and weapons;
iii. Planning primary and alternate travel routes;
. Advance inspection of sites or facilities; arrangements for gathering
intelligence information;
iv. Coordination of operations both within and outside the agency;
v. Development of procedures for emergency medical services;
vi. Establishment of primary and alternate communications; and,
vii. Establishment of identification and credentials for members of the security
teams, i.e. lapel pins etc.
15. Special Events 46.2.7 (2A-E)
Special events include such activities as parades, entertainment, sporting events or any
other event which may require advanced special planning in order to properly handle.
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 1011PDF page 11Read textHide text
a. Upon learning of a special event, the appropriate Lieutenant shall be designated the
Special Event officer-in-charge and coordinate the planning for the event (Incident
Commander-IC). (2A)
b. The Special Event officer-in-charge shall obtain a written estimate of traffic, crowd
control and crime problems for the event. (2B)
c. All access and egress routes will be determined and coordinated with other public
service officials and transportation agencies, including those businesses to be affected,
so as to provide an opportunity for adjustment.
d. The perimeter streets of the special event should be used to maximum advantage by
eliminating or increasing parking space, making temporary one-way streets, and
assigning officers to key intersections for traffic control. (2C)
e. Adequate emergency service access will be provided to the scene of the event for other
law enforcement agencies, fire, ambulance, and tow personnel.
f. The size and scope of the event will guide the total number of officers to be
deployed.(2D)
If relief of personnel assigned is needed, the Special Event OIC will handle logistical
requirements including determining the use of special operations personnel. (2E)
g. Crowd control barriers may be used as needed.
h. The Special Event officer-in-charge shall ensure that the department’s media officer is
informed of the event. (2D)
i. The Special Event officer-in-charge shall prepare a report after the event. (2E)
j. For special events consisting of strikes and/or labor disputes, see the departmental
policy on Strikes and Labor Disputes.
16. Search and Rescue 46.2.5
A coordinated effort to locate individuals missing - in a wilderness area, in large bodies
of water, or elsewhere. Search and rescue missions usually involve the use of aircraft,
boats, or other special purpose vehicles and specialized personnel such as scuba divers,
mountain climbers, or spelunkers (cavers)
1. Scope of Search and Rescue: 46.2.5 (1A)
The Canton Police Department shall conduct and coordinate search and rescue operations for lost
or missing person(s) within the limits of its jurisdiction.
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 1112PDF page 12Read textHide text
2. Considerations:
Certain factors may determine a search to be critical in nature in order to preserve the life of a
lost person: 41.2.5 (3F)
a. Weather, season of the year, temperature, exposure;
b. Time of the day, remaining daylight, lighting conditions;
c. Age of the lost person(s);
d. Mental status of the lost person(s); and,
e. Physical condition of lost person(s).
f. Is the person a diabetic, suicidal on medication
3. Initial Police Response 46.2.5 (1B)
a. The first responding officer should make contact with the reporting party and
obtain descriptive information, information regarding the circumstances under which the
person became lost or missing, and possible locations or destinations. 41.2.5 (3A)
b. If family members are searching for the lost or missing person, at least one person
should remain at the location from which the person became lost or missing in the event
the person returns.
c. Additional responders shall begin a search for the missing person.
- If the lost or missing person is a child, last seen at a home, officers shall request
permission to search the entire home with particular attention to the last room the
child was known to be.
- In an urban area, officers should maintain mobile patrols interspersed with checks
of likely areas or buildings on foot.
- In rural areas, officers should team up with other searchers to conduct a hasty
search of likely areas.
4. Large Scale Searches
a. In the event that a search becomes large in scope, managers shall follow standard
I.C.S. protocols which provide interoperability with other public safety and government
entities which also may respond to the incident.
b. The Shift Commander should consider assistance from an entity that specializes
in searching for lost persons.
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 1213PDF page 13Read textHide text
5. Searching for Deceased Persons
a. Searches for deceased persons are conducted in a similar manner as searches for
missing persons.
b. If foul play is suspected, managers and searchers must be aware of preserving
possible crime scenes and evidence. See Department Policy on Collection and
Preservation of Evidence.
Canton Police Department’s Special Operations Policy Page 13